November 25, 1930 - March 17, 2019
Passing away peacefully in her home, she left us and joined the love of her life, Edward J Hallam, on a sunny St Patrick's Day morning. A vibrant, energetic, petite woman - Rita Rose always had a knack for making friends easily. She loved life to the fullest, rarely denying the opportunity to socialize or to go shopping!!
After Ed's passing (1995), she did not take the advice to learn to drive. Instead, she embraced a less stressful lifestyle. Though she was never in need of transportation as her vast network of friends and family were always available to her. She was very much loved and admired.
She was a lover of life and a giver of everything. If she had it and had any inkling you may need it, it was expected you take it! Having been a raised during the depression, everything was valuable … yet, for a friend in need, everything was offered. She was grateful for all she had and never failed to share.
Rita spent most of her childhood raised in St Vincent's orphanage with two of her siblings in Columbus, Ohio. Her spirit and spunk were evident when she ran away from the facility in her early teens; she was released shortly thereafter to her grandmother. There, her best friend and cohort was her youngest sister, Peg (Margaret) who also helped to encourage her to elope with Ed in August 1950. Rita and Ed had met on a blind date a mere three months earlier.
Rita was blessed with four siblings in total: (Mary) Pauline, John (Jack), Margaret (Peg) and Raymond. And she had helped to raise her younger half-siblings: Tim, Jim and Dan Donaldson. Rita had nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Rita was always observant of dress and style (oh, the shopping!!) and spoke frankly about her opinions: a colorful personality indeed. She enjoyed card club and sewing while helping Ed to raise four children and kept a meticulous clean home.
Ed (Butch), Bob, Kathy and Rose had secure, yet strict childhoods and were taught the lifelong value of an honest work ethic, being dependable, honest and trustworthy.
Since Ed's passing, Rita had taken up daily walking and had re-visited her love of bowling at Sequoia Lanes. The Elks and the American Legion were also a strong part of her social life.
Eternal and heartfelt thanks to the multitude of family and neighbors that cared for her during her brief illness. Special thanks to her brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Nancy Gilkerson, Michelle and Doug Donovan, neighbors Kim and Phil Robinson, the Ogle family, friends Nancy Bootes and Becky Walters, and to all North Baptist church members for continuous cards and prayers.
Services to be held Saturday March 30th 1pm Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N High St, Worthington, Ohio 43085. Refreshments immediately after at North Baptist Church, 76 Charleston Ave, Columbus Ohio 43214. Lastly, a celebration with spirits at Villa Nova bar, 5545 N High St, Worthington Ohio 43085. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to North Baptist Church or the Elks, 5469 Sandalwood Blvd, Columbus Ohio 43229.
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